Office of the President

UMaine and UMM community health update — March 2

While there are no cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) reported in Maine at this time, we hope all members of the University of Maine and University of Maine at Machias communities have read the Feb. 28 communication from Chancellor Dan Malloy regarding monitoring and preparations underway at the state’s public universities for responding to the coronavirus. Note the action steps and know that all UMS health advisory updates are online. Our efforts are fully coordinated with the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Maine Emergency Management Agency.

Community updates for UMaine and UMM are on our emergency website, including a link to the latest information pertaining to coronavirus in the United States and in Maine, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for preventing COVID-19 spread in communities. With spring break less than two weeks away, we urge our community members who are traveling to monitor the latest CDC national and international situation updates.

The University of Maine has 14 students in Italy who are studying abroad through three affiliated programs. Those study abroad programs in Italy decided to close and evacuate students by March 10 when the State Department issued a Level 3 advisory for that country on Feb. 29. UMaine’s Office of International Programs has placed calls to the students and their families to provide travel support, and we are working on continuation of instruction accommodations.

Later today, academic leaders from the University of Maine System and Risk Management will be assessing the CDC’s guidance on student foreign travel issued late yesterday that recommends U.S. institutions of higher education ask students studying abroad to return to the States. We will share the outcome of these discussions as part of our ongoing communications.

UMaine and UMM communities are vigilant in response to this outbreak. Since January, UMaine and UMM emergency response teams have focused on community health and safety related to the coronavirus. We are working to support all community members who are abroad on university travel and impacted by the spread of the coronavirus.

In addition to providing updates as they become available, university community members can call the Division of Student Life, 207.581.1406, with any questions or concerns.

As noted in our Feb. 3 community message and as we reiterate here, our thoughts and support are with those in the UMaine and UMM communities who have loved ones directly affected by the coronavirus. Our communities will not allow intolerance or targeting of individuals related to health concerns. We are all in this, together. And we will get through it, together.

President Joan Ferrini-Mundy
Robert Dana, UMaine Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students
Dan Qualls, UMM Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs and Head of Campus